Kick the Habit: Quit Vaping

Introduction

Vaping occurs when a handheld electronic device inhales a mist ("vapor"). An e-cigarette, vape pen, or other electronic nicotine delivery system (ENDS) heats a liquid containing nicotine, flavoring, propylene glycol, and other ingredients to produce an aerosol that is inhaled through a mouthpiece. Vaping can lead to lung issues, organ damage, addiction, and other complications.

What Is Vaping?

Vaping is similar to smoking. Vape pens that run on batteries produce an aerosol that resembles water vapor but comprises over 30 different compounds, including flavoring and nicotine. When the aerosol is breathed, the chemicals and nicotine enter the bloodstream through the lungs.

The initial vape pens had a similar appearance to cigarettes. More recent types resemble tiny pods or USB flash drives. Although they differ greatly in size and form, all vapes share the same fundamental parts: an atomizer or flavor cartridge, a sensor, and a battery. After being swiftly heated, the e-liquid becomes an aerosol that can be inhaled into the lungs.

What Impact Does Vaping Have on Health?

Vaping poses the following health risks:

1. Addiction: Nicotine, the substance found in e-cigarettes, is extremely addicting. It is not necessary to vape daily to develop an addiction.

2. Depression and Anxiety: Nicotine exacerbates these conditions. Additionally, it impacts attention, memory, focus, and self-control, particularly in growing brains.

3. Becoming a Smoker: Individuals who vape have a higher probability of starting to smoke traditional (tobacco) cigarettes and may also be at a higher risk of developing other addictions in the future.

4. Impotence: Vaping may contribute to male sexual dysfunction.

5. Sleep Problems: Vaping may lead to sleep issues.

6. Risk Factor: Exposure to substances in vaping can cause cancer and chronic bronchitis.

7. Fatal: Lung injury with a potential fatality.

There may be more health effects. Since vaping is a relatively new practice, not all of its health hazards are well understood.

What Are the Risks Associated With Vaping?

Vaping can be harmful to one's health. The known health hazards of vaping include the following:

• Symptoms may include mouth and airway irritation, prolonged coughing, nausea and vomiting, chest pain, and palpitations.

• Risks of vaping include nicotine poisoning, seizures, burns, nicotine dependence, respiratory issues, lifelong lung damage, and impairment to the developing adolescent brain.

• Some compounds included in vape aerosols can cause harm to deoxyribose nucleic acid.

Why Should One Give Up Vaping?

One of the most compelling reasons to stop vaping is the desire to be the healthiest, best version of oneself. Others consist of:

• Addiction: Addiction can create pathways in the developing brain that lead to subsequent substance addiction.

• Risks to the Brain: Nicotine alters brain development. This may make it more difficult to focus and study. Certain brain alterations are irreversible and can impact mood and capacity to restrain urges as an adult.

• Usage of Other Tobacco Products: Vaping increases the likelihood of experimenting with other tobacco products, such as smokeless tobacco, cigars, normal cigarettes, and hookahs.

• Toxins (Poisons): E-cigarette aerosol is formed of more than just water. Inhaled into the lungs and breathed into the environment, it contains dangerous substances and small particles.

• Sports: One wants to give it all in the game, and vaping might irritate or inflame lungs, hindering performance.

• Cash: The cost of vaping is high. Over time, the expense of the cartridges begins to mount up. One can use that money for other necessities or enjoyable items instead.

• To Counteract Tobacco Business Advertising: Many e-cigarettes are manufactured by the same companies that create traditional cigarettes. Their marketing focuses on young people by creating appealing flavors for e-cigarettes and featuring young, healthy people vaping.

How Can One Prepare for Quitting?

• Ask the person to choose a reason for quitting and write it down or save it on one’s phone. Consider the reasons behind the desire to vape.

• Choose a day to stop vaping. Put it on the calendar and inform supportive friends and family who will be quitting on that date.

• Get rid of any vaping supplies.

• Understand withdrawal. Nicotine addiction causes severe cravings for nicotine. The withdrawal symptoms are most noticeable in the first few days after stopping but gradually improve during the following days and weeks. At first, someone may experience headaches.

• Symptoms may include fatigue, irritability, difficulty concentrating, and poor sleep.

• Feeling hungry and restless.

• Download tools (such as applications and deaddiction programs) on the phone to help overcome cravings and stay motivated while trying to quit vaping.

What Happens When One Quits Vaping?

Be prepared for feelings, people, and locations that will make one want to vape. If possible, avoid places and individuals who wish to vape. If one wants to vape, consider these alternatives:

• Chew sugarless gum or drink water.

• Text, call, or hang out with a supportive friend.

• Listen to one’s favorite playlist.

• Go on a walk or jog.

• Try yoga or meditation.

• Take ten deep breaths.

• Keep hands busy with a hobby, such as drawing or creating jewelry.

• Go somewhere where smoking or vaping is not permitted.

How Does Vaping Impact the Brain?

The nicotine in e-liquids is rapidly taken from the lungs into the bloodstream when a person vapes an e-cigarette. When nicotine enters the bloodstream, it stimulates the adrenal glands to release the hormone epinephrine (adrenaline). Epinephrine activates the central nervous system, raising blood pressure, respiration, and heart rate. As with most addictive medications, nicotine activates the brain's reward circuits while also increasing levels of dopamine, a chemical messenger that promotes rewarding behaviors. Nicotine's interaction with the reward circuit causes pleasure, which pushes some people to use it repeatedly despite the consequences to their health and well-being.

When Is It Appropriate to Call the Doctor?

Call the doctor immediately if one vapes and has coughing, shortness of breath, and chest pain or has symptoms, including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue, fever, or weight loss.

Conclusion

There is limited evidence that e-cigarettes can help people quit smoking. Battery-powered vapes emit an aerosol resembling water vapor but contain nicotine, flavoring, and over 30 additional compounds. Vaping can be quite tempting in terms of accessories and flavors. Unfortunately, it is not as innocuous as it appears. Nicotine and other substances in e-liquids might harm the body but many do not know what long-term health consequences vaping may bring. One should not start vaping if one has never done so. If one needs help quitting, remember that they are not alone. There are internet tools, messaging phone services, and applications that connect with actual individuals to aid in stopping the habit.